IT could prove an opportunity well seized today at Ascot by trainer Katie McGivern as she takes aim at a Shergar Cup handicap worth £85,000 with stable flagbearer Kendall Roy.

Norwegian rider Frida Valle Skar, making her Shergar Cup debut (a year on from winning the German 2000 Guineas), will partner McGivern’s listed-winning sprinter in the opening Dubai Duty Free Dash (1.35).

Given the seven-time winner’s preference for a strong pace, fast ground and five furlongs, this has the potential to set up nicely for McGivern’s first Ascot runner as a trainer.

“He’s been an unbelievable servant and doesn’t owe us anything,” she told The Irish Field.

“It’s our first time to run him at Ascot; he was actually first reserve for the three-year-old handicap [Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes] a couple of years ago and I honestly think he would have gone so close if he managed to get in.

“We’ve been doing a bit of Googling about the rider at home this week and she’s ridden 44 winners this year - there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. As I said to mam [Joanna Morgan], if she’s more like you and less like me we’ll be okay!

“You never know how these races might turn out, but a fresh pair of hands on him might end up being no harm; he’s gone a little bit cute over time.

“He loves good ground and a stiff five furlongs, both of which he should get here. You’re always hoping in his races that they go hard in front and come back to him, because he probably doesn’t have the early speed to chase them.”

Happy traveller

McGivern plundered a valuable handicap in Bahrain over the winter with Kendall Roy and believes he’s at his happiest when having his passport stamped.

“One thing I will say about him is that he absolutely loves going on a trip. Whenever he gets on his travels, he just thinks that he’s the absolute man!” she quipped.

“It happened when he went to Bahrain. Really, I know we should probably just be sticking to blacktype races with him now but with the prize money on offer, we just couldn’t say no. We’re the only Irish horse in the line-up.”